Council Tax Banding

fedupofcreditcrunch

Hi, I am newbie here.

My property is in Band D. However, my house was a new build in 2001 so obviously it doesn't come under the value of 1991 which is what most CT is based on.

Even though I have tried to find out, I don't understand how they reached this band for our particular property as it was a new build?

Maybe the Band they have put us in is correct, however, I want to find out as we pay a lot of money each month and I would like to know if it is correct.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

fedupofcreditcrunch

angelicmary85

Hiya!

O.k my story goes like this...

My house was newly build in 2007 however I believe it shouldn't matter how old the house is, it should still be classed under the new system implemented in 1991. We recently started war with our council we were told on the phone that 'we were bumped up to band d as we were classed as higher end band c'... a little unfair I thought so, we wrote to them asking for an explanation on this...never received a reply so sent an email (no-one seems to like answering letters these days) still no reply, the fight will go on though because I've been asking around our estate to find out a bit more about other people's bills and alot of people who gave up other houses to move here were surprised at the banding so it would appear that the flats on the estate were classed as b and c, the 2 bedroomed at d, the 3 bedroomed at 3 etc...

The council have a legal obligation to look into any query that you have about your banding so you may have to write to them to appeal. They wiill probably try to tell you that queries should be made in your first 8 weeks of living there but don't let that put you off. I'm fed up of paying the amount of money we pay to have our bin emptied so I'm going to keep writing to them until I get a response!

My advice to you would be to get in contact with them and hope for the best! xxx

lincroft1710

If you are in England or Wales it is the Valuation Office Agency who deal with banding and not council. In Scotland it is the Assessor.

angelicmary85 - what you were told about "bumping up" should not happen! If a dwelling's notional Apr 1991 selling price is high end Band C, then that is the band for that dwelling. And where they're getting 8 weeks from???? A council taxpayer has 6 months from the date they first become taxpayer of a dwelling to appeal against that dwelling's band. After 6 months you can still ask for band to be reviewed but there is no right of appeal for a determination by Valuation Tribunal if the answer is no.

All newbuilds should be valued by comparing them with dwellings of a similar type, size and style in the locality which were in existence before start of CT. Of course dwellings built since start of CT, where bands established by Tribunal or agreement with taxpayers are also useful.

Scousebird_2

Good luck with this-I lodged my case with the Tribunals Service after I was unhappy with the explanation of the VOA Officer who replied to me within 2 days of me sending the letter (apparently this was after a 'full' and 'impartial' investigation)

I sent my appeal to Preston where the Tribunal is held (that was in November) and the hearing...... 11th June!!!!!!!!

So I have to pay the band C rates (which in comparison to HOUSES in my local area-I live in an Apartment....(newbuild) they are band A & B ordinarily. Absolute joke.

So I will let you know how I get on-but be prepared for a fight as you have to send EVERYTHING is writing. I love the fact that the Tribunals Service are impartial and yet their email that they sent me confirming reciept was [EMAIL="name@tribunalsservice.GOV.uk"]name@tribunalsservice.GOV.uk[/EMAIL]

still the governement aint it....plus I have to take a day off to attend the hearing and put my case forward....more money!

I end up paying £15 more a month on the C banding-may not seem like much, but when you are on a budget it is a lot of money!

lincroft1710

scousebird - having had many years experience of Valuation Tribunals, they are certainly not biased towards VOA. Some VTs were positively anti VOA, but vast majority are completely neutral.

angelicmary85

I know that 'bumping up' shouldn't happen which is why the assessor will be reading my letter in the morning, I sent it off so I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed!!

Scousebird_2

lincroft1710 wrote: »

scousebird - having had many years experience of Valuation Tribunals, they are certainly not biased towards VOA. Some VTs were positively anti VOA, but vast majority are completely neutral.

Thankyou for that...I hope you're right as I do think it is unfair. I wouldn't mind paying the banding if it was fair but it really isn't. I live in a two bed, first floor flat/apartment which really doesn't warrant the banding.